Band Geeks! Marches Into Human Race Theatre for Midwest Premiere May 31

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31 May 2012

Cast member Mykal Kilgore

Ohio's Human Race Theatre stages the Midwest premiere of Band Geeks!, the new quirky musical about a high school marching band that begins performances May 31 in Dayton.

Band Geeks! was conceived by Tommy Newman and has a book by Newman and Gordon Greenberg, lyrics by Gaby Alter and Newman, and music by Alter, Newman and Mark Allen.

The musical first premiered at the Goodspeed Opera House in 2010. It will officially open June 1 at the Human Race for a run through June 17. Band Geeks! is directed and choreographed by Greg Hellems and has music direction by Scot Woolley.

"Tommy and I spent some time last month with the cast and creative team reworking the book in preparation for Music Theatre International to publish it for licensing this fall," Greenberg told Playbill.com. "We significantly reworked Act One, which still had wrinkles up at Goodspeed. It was enormously helpful to come back to the show a year later with new perspectives. We're on to new projects (Tommy's teaching at Troy University, and I'm writing a movie for Disney Channel) so this is like coming home to old friends - with fresh insight. We can't wait to see how all the new material plays on opening night!"

The production is billed as "a gleefully entertaining musical about the trials and tribulations of a down-on-its-luck Ohio high school marching band. The Cuyahoga High Marching Beavers are 75 trombones short of a Music Man, and there's only one cornet left, but while the band may be close to extinction, their spirit isn't. It's a rousing 'Glee' with instruments, a tribute to the tribulations of the millions who have spent football halftimes pounding out Sousa-like renditions of 'Maria.' Whether you were in the band, on the team, or in the stands, you’ll recognize the woes and revel in the fun of Band Geeks!"

Band Geeks! has scenic design by Scott J. Kimmins, costume design by Janet G. Powell, lighting design by John Rensel and sound design by John Findley.